Apparatus for manufacturing sliding clasp fasteners having coupling links woven into the edge of a supporting tape

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for manufacturing sliding clasp fasteners having coupling links formed by a deformed thread material woven into the edge of a supporting tape, which comprises a device for feeding a plurality of warp threads to a weaving zone, which warp threads define weaving sheds. A device for laying weft threads in the weaving sheds. A rotor is mounted for rotation about an axis parallel with the weft threads and lies in a plane adjacent one limit of the weaving sheds. A loop-forming mandrel associated with the rotor and having one end supported substantially on the axis of rotation of the rotor and being of sufficient length to extend to the weaving zones. The rotor defines an aperture remote from the axis of rotation thereof for feeding the deformable warp thread to a mandrel such that the deformable thread is shaped by the mandrel to form a row of loops woven into a supporting tape, and the apparatus comprises at least two weaving zones, each being provided with its own of the rotors and mandrels for the simultaneous formation of at least two tapes having a deformable thread woven into the edge thereof. The axes of rotation of said two rotors being located at opposite sides of the shed, and the rotors are capable of being driven in opposite directions.

ilite States Glindmeyer et al.

atent 91 1 1 APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING SLIDING CLASP FASTENERS HAVING COUPLING LINKS WOVEN INTO THE EDGE OF A SUPPORTING TAPE [75] Inventors: Friedrich Glindmeyer; Karl Limpens, both of Stolberg; Wilhelm Hennenberg, Alsdorf, all of Germany [73] Assignee: Firma William Prym-Werke KG,

Stolberg, Germany 22 Filed: July 17, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 272,667

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 20, 1971 Germany 2l36l54 [52] US. Cl. ..l 139/35 [51] Int. Cl D03d 41/00 [58] Field of Search 139/11, 35, 46, 48, 54, 139/1 16 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,399,880 5/1946 Moessingcr 139/54 3,692,068 9/1972 Auer 139/116 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,023,422 1/1958 Germany 139/11 Aug. 13, 1974 Primary Examiner-Henry S. Jaudon 5 7] ABSTRACT An apparatus for manufacturing sliding clasp fasteners having coupling links formed by a deformed thread material woven into the edge of a supporting tape, which comprises a device for feeding a plurality of warp threads to a weaving zone, which warp threads define weaving sheds. A device for laying weft threads in the weaving sheds. A rotor is mounted for rotation about an axis parallel with the weft threads and lies in a plane adjacent one limit of the weaving sheds. A loop-forming mandrel associated with the rotor and having one end supported substantially on the axis of rotation of the rotor and being of sufficient length to extend to the weaving zones. The rotor defines an aperture remote from the axis of rotation thereof for feeding the deformable warp thread to a mandrel such that the deformable thread is shaped by the mandrel to form a row of loops woven into a supporting tape, and the apparatus comprises at least two weaving zones, each being provided with its own of the rotors andmandrels for the simultaneous formation of at least two tapes having a deformable thread woven into the edge thereof. The axes of rotation of said two rotors being located at opposite sides of the shed, and v the rotors are capable of being driven in opposite directions.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENHU All-T3 3 31374 sum 1 or 3 .I.... IJ r}. km \Nm rw i PATENTEUAUBI sum sum 3 or 3 APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING sLIbING CLASP FASTENERS HAVING COUPLING LINKS wOvEN INTO THE EDGE OF A SUPPORTING A TAPE copending patent application Ser. No. 238,192, filed Mar. 27, 1972. The apparatus is of the type comprising means for feeding a-plura'lity of warp threads to a weaving zone, means for laying weft threads in weaving sheds defined by the warp threads, a rotor mounted for rotation aboutan axis parallel with the weft thread and lying in a plane adjacent one limit of the weaving shed, a loom-forming mandrel associated with the rotor and having one end supported substantially on the axis of rotation of the rotor and being of sufficient length to extend to the weavingzone, and an aperture formed in the rotor remote from the axis of rotation thereof for feeding the deformable thread as a warp thread to the mandrel such that the deformable thread is shaped by the mandrel to form a row of loops which are woven into the supporting tape.

It is one object of the present invention, to provide an apparatus for production of a zipper by weaving which is simple, as much as possible, and does not lend itself to disturbances, with which complete zippers with both zipper halves can be produced.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for production of a zipper by weaving, wherein the aapparatus has a plurality of weaving points disposed adjacent each other with coupling member rows wound oppositely relative to each other, in front of which shed-forming rotors rotary driven opposite relative to each other are provided, whereby the rotary axes of the rotors driven in the same rotary direction are disposed within the range of the spreading position of one shed part, while therotary axes of the other rotors driven in opposite direction'are disposed within the range of the spreading position ,of the oppositely arranged other shed part.

Thus complete zippers with their oppositely formed zipper halves can be produced on the same apparatus in the same working process, whereby it is possible, to bring into engagement those parts of both zipperhalves, which have been produced in the apparatus at the same moment. This has the advantage, that possible lack of weaving uniformity, which can occur, by example, by stoppages to be applied on both zipper-halves at the same point, with which they cooperate later by joining. This has the consequence, that such errors upon operation of a complete zipper formed therefrom are no more recognizable. Beyond that, it is possible, to join together, both zipper-halves complementing each other, while still standing under tension, whereby the following de-tensioning takes place jointly with both zipper-halves and the pulling together of the woven zipper can be adjusted to each other in its both halves.

Due to the manner of. operation on an apparatus, it is now of advantage, to control all web-forming-rotors by a joint rotary drive. One applies, by example, a joint drive shaft, which by means of gears disposed thereon effects directly peripheral toothings of one group of shed-forming-rotors, thereby driving the latter in the one direction. By intermediate arrangement of one or a plurality of gears, it is furthermore possible, to drive from the drive shaft also the other group of shedforming-rotors, which are put to rotation in opposite direction. The height difference between both previously mentioned-groups of shed-forming-rotors, which height difference results from the intermediate arrangement of further gears in the one group, is modulated such, that it corresponds with the difference of the spreading position of both shed parts, as mentioned above, whereby the rotary axis of the one group of rotors in the one extreme spreading position of the shed and the other group of the rotors come to lie with their rotary axes in the opposite spreading position of the shed.

Furthermore, it is advisable, to provide a nonrotating insert in the range of the rotary axis, which not only carries the loop-forming hank hook, rather has also a through guide for an additional thread, which serves as a later insert of the finished coupling member row. The through guide for the additional thread is arranged such, that the guidance of the additional thread takes place just in that spreading position of that shed part, in which also the rotary axis of the associated rotor is provided.

Between the insert and the weaving point is arranged a thread guide means for gripping of the additional thread, whereby the'latter can be transformed selectively from the above mentioned position into the spreading position of the oppositely disposed other shed-part.

As thread guiding means one uses suitable stamps, the end-sided working ends of which serve the selective gripping of the additional thread, ordinarily removed from the coordinated additional thread, are arranged outside of the shed, in that the additional thread assumes the position determined by the through guide in the insert. The stamps are moved with their working end, in the weaving cycle selectively up to the spreading position of the notches, into which the additional threads reach during this working movement of the stamps. The stamps, belonging to both groups of the shed-forming-rotors, which are oppositely rotary driven opposite to each other, operate mirror-imagelike relative to each other.

With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent in followingdetailed description, the present invention, which is shown by example only, will be clearly understood in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which;

FIG. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the most important parts of the weaving apparatus according to the present invention, at that working point, where in case of a rotary drive in the same direction a zipper-half with a right hand threaded row Of coupling members is created;

FIG. 2 is a similar elevation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 which serves a fastener-half with a left hand threaded row of coupling members; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view with parts cut away to show the common rotary drive driving the rotary members and the shedding shown only diagrammatically.

For producing sliding clasp fastener halves using the parts of the apparatus according to the invention illustrated in each Figure, a plurality of warp threads 11, 11" and a deformable warp thread 15 are used. The warp threads 11', 11 are spread by means of healds 22, 23 to form an upper shed l9 and a lower shed 20 (see FIG. I) in relation to an imaginary central weaving plane WE which is common to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. A weft needle 17 lays a weft thread in the resulting weaving shed 18. The weaving plane WE is located with reference to the movement of the weft needle 17, the weaving zone 57, and a beat-up comb 30 which is partially broken-away in the drawings. The weft threads are pressed together by the beat up comb 30 to form the finished weave when the comb moves in the direction of the arrow 58.

For the formation of a row of coupling members 14, one uses a member-forming warp thread 15, which consists of a continuous profile warp thread of synthetic material. The latter is wound around within the range of the weaving area 57 about a loop forming hank hook 16 in a winding shape for the formation of individual coupling members from the forward winding curves.

The loop forming mandrel 16 extends at an angle to the weaving plane WE, in order not to hinder the passage of the weft insertion needle 17; and in particular the mandrel shown in FIG. 1 extends in the working station of FIG. 1, which serves the production of a right hand row of coupling members, remaining in the range of the lower spreading position 11' of the shed of a clasp fastener-half with a left-hand row of coupling members, according to the working area of FIG. 2 of the loop forming mandrel 16 in the spreading position 11; thus disposed extending in the upper shed 19.

The two loop forming mandrels 16 do not change the shown position during weaving, in particular they do not step through the weaving plane WE. The end of the mandrel 16, disposed within the range of the individual weaving stations 57, is wound about by the last produced windings of the warp thread and runs along for a stretch in the edge of the weave. Corresponding with the advance of the finished fabric, the formed coupling members are continuously removed from the free removal end 33 of the mandrel.

The oppositely disposed end 31 of the mandrel serving the securing is provided in the center of an insert 55 in a rotary driven rotor 47 serving the shed formation. The rotor 47 is received in a ring-shaped bearing housing 46 and has the shape of a flat, wheel like a circular disc. The housing 46 is provided by means of a securing plate 48 on carriers 50 rigidly in the apparatus.

The rotor disc 47 is equipped along its periphery with a toothing 51, on which the rotary drive attacks. For the drive of the individual shed-forming rotors 47 one uses a continuously driven shaft 53, which carries a gear 52 and causes rotation in the direction of the arrow 54. In the sliding clasp fastener-half with a lefthanded helical spring formation, in accordance with FIG. 2, this gear 52 is directly in engagement with the shed forming rotor 47 and sets the latter in motion in the direction of the arrow 43. In the zipper-half with a right handed helical spring formation, in accordance with FIG. 1, in addition to a corresponding gear 52, still a further gear 80 is arranged, which with the assumed rotary motion is put to rotation in the direction of the shown arrow 81, and by its engagement with the shedforming-rotor drives the latter, in comparison with FIG. 2, in opposite direction, as is indicated by the arrow 43 in FIG. I.

The weaving plane WE shown in FIG. 1 is the same as the weaving plane WE shown in FIG. 2, whereby the finished woven fastener-halves from the weaving zones with their rows of coupling links 14 are disposed in the same plane and aligned with each other are fed through by a guide 75, from which heat can be exerted onto the finished row of coupling links for their forming. The above mentioned course in opposite directions in both working stations according to FIGS. 1 and 2 and thereby the different height position of the rotary axis of the complementary shed forming rotors 47 is created by the insertion of the intermediate wheel in the working station according to FIG. 1 of the apparatus. The position and the diameter of the intermediate wheel 80 equalize the height difference of the arrangement of both rotors 47 in accordance with FIG. I and FIG. 2.

Excentrically to their rotary axis the individual rotors 47 carry an aperture 56, through which is passed the link-forming warp thread 15. In the position of the rotor 47, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is disposed the aperture 56 and thereby the warp thread 15 just in its lower extreme spreading position, whereby the lower shed 20' is completely formed. A half rotation later the aperture 56 is disposed in the position 56, shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1, where it comes to the formation of the upper shed 19' for the link forming warp thread, the course of which is shown in dash-dot lines in FIG. 1. Thus the warp thread 15 is during movement of the rotor discs 47 alternately once above and once below the weaving plane WE, whereby it can be woven with the weft thread which is laid by the weft needle 17. The weft insertion needles are moved at all working stations simultaneously for the weft insertion; for this purpose they are provided on a reciprocable joint operating bar, since also the shed 18 is created on all weaving stations at the same time.

During movement of the rotor disc 47, the thread part piece disposed between the weaving station 57 and the aperture 56 describes the surface area of an oblique circular cone. During the rotation movement the mandrel 16 is moved about by the member forming warp thread and, corresponding with the direction of rotation, at a working station according to FIG. 1 in the sense of a right-handed helical spring and at a working station according to FIG. 2 is wound about in the sense of a left-handed helical spring.

The insert 55 disposed in the center of the rotor 47 carries not only the securing end of the mandrel, rather has also still an aperture 59 for an auxiliary thread 60, which is thereby guided from the backside of the rotor to the front side visible in the drawings. By a conical formation of the insert 55, where the securing end of the mandrel is let in, the auxiliary thread 60 concerning the course of the mandrel at some distance. By this arrangement it is possible, that a thread guiding element in form of a positioning finger 62 cooperates alone with the auxiliary thread, without gripping thereby the mandrel 16. The face end of the ram 62 is equipped with a notch 64, as can be ascertained particularly clearly from FIG. 1, wherein from the movement apparent from FIGS. 1 and 2 the gripped auxiliary thread comes to lie. The rams are formed different relative to each other in form and operation in both working stations according to FIGS. 1 and 2.

At one working station according to FIG. 1, the positioning finger 62 is disposed as a rod which is liftable and lowerable, respectively, for normally in its ineffective position outside of the lower-shed 20 determined by the link-forming warp thread. This position is characterized in FIG. 1 in full lines. In this position the auxiliary thread is disposed likewise in its lower shed 20", due to the guidance in the breakthrough 59 of the insert 55. In effective position the positioning finger assumes with its notch the position 62' shown in dash-dot lines in FIG. 1, whereby the auxiliary thread 60 is gripped and is lifted for the formation of an upper shed 19" above the weaving plane WE. In the meantime due to the further rotation of the rotor 47, also the member forming warp thread is moved further into the upper shed position 19 shown in FIG. 1 in dash-dot lines, due to the position of its aperture at 56.

The positioning finger 62 is curved in a bow-shape in a working station according to FIG. 2 and is connected with an oscillating shaft 82, on which also all remaining stamps of similar working working stations are applied, which serve the production of a fastener half with a left-hand row of coupling members. By swinging of the shaft 82 in the direction of the 'double arrow 63, the positioning finger 62 moves between the positions in FIG. 2 shown in full lines and in dash-dotted lines.

In the effective position shown in FIG. 2 in full lines, the positioning finger 62 has gripped the additional thread and has moved the latter downwardly below the weaving plane WE for the formation of a lower shed, where at this moment also the member-forming warp thread-l5 is disposed due to the rotary'position of its aperture 56 in the rotor disc 47.

If the member-forming warp thread reaches its opposite diametrical position of FIG. 2, which is not shown particularly, in the meantime the positioning finger 62 has reached its ineffective position shown in FIG. 2 in point-dotted lines, where the additional thread is freed. The working end of the positioning finger 62 is then disposed far outside of the shed formation above the spreading of the different warp threads. The additional thread reaches thereby by itself through the guide 59 in the insert 55 in its position above the weaving plane WE, where it forms its upper shed.

In the working stations, according to FIGS. 1 and 2, of the apparatus in accordance with the invention, a rotary device 40 is disposed in front of the shafts 22 and 24, which has the task, to compensate an intertwining between the additional thread and the member-forming thread in the feeding range of the threads behind the rotor disc. The link-forming warp thread is through wound, according to the rotary direction 53 of the rotor disc 47 within the range of the weaving station, about the mandrel and about the corresponding additional thread 60 for the formation of left-hand or righthand helical spring windings, yet in the part piece disposed further in frontthereof an oppositely running undesirable winding is obtained between the memberforming warp thread and the auxiliary thread 60. This last mentioned winding is eliminated by the rotary device 40.

The rotary devices 40 are arranged at the individual working stations according to FIGS. 1 and 2 for the purpose of simplifications of the drive at the same level. The rotary device 40 comprises a supply reel 67 for the additional thread 60, while the further supply reel (not shown) of the link-forming warp-thread 15 is arranged still outside of the shown drawing. The supply reels 67 are mounted on a hollow shaft 69 rotating in the direction of the arrow 68, which hollow shaft points in the direction of the course of the warp thread. The corresponding link-forming warp thread 15 is pulled through the hollow space 78 of the hollow shaft 69. An unwinding bow is rigidly connected with the hollow shaft 69, which bow 70 is wound around synchronously with the rotor rotation 43 inthe direction of the arrow 71. As apparent, the rotary direction 43 of the rotor and the rotary direction of the complementary wind-up bow 70 are equally directed, whereby corresponding with the reversal of the rotor rotation in the working station of FIG. 2 in comparison with the working station of FIG. 1 also the rotary direction of the complementary wind-up bow 70 reverses itself. The auxiliary thread is guided through a bore 72 in the bow and passes thereafter an eye 73 of a thread tensioning device equipped with a spring 66. The reel brake 76 prevents over-run of the reel 67 during rotation thereof.

In the working station shown in FIG. I, in accordance with the position of a link-forming warp thread 16 drawn in full lines and in dash-dot lines in a corresponding disclosure, the complementing positions of the auxiliary thread on its wind-up bow 70' are disclosed. If the link-forming thread is disposed in its lower extreme spreading position, the wind-up bow 70 is arranged just in the upper vertex point of its rotary movement, as is shown by the full lines, while a half rotation later the position is reversed, as is visible by the now valid lines disclosed in point-dotted lines.

Instead of the described arrangement of the storage spools for the member-forming warp thread 15 and the auxiliary thread 60, also a reversed arrangement of the threads could be provided, since with the compensation of the undesirable winding around in the range of the threadfeed merely a relative rotation between both threads is decisive.

While we have disclosed several embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood, that these embodiments are given by example only and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for manufacturing sliding clasp fasteners having coupling links formed by a deformed thread material woven into the edge of a supporting tape, comprising means for feeding a plurality of warp threads to a weaving zone,

said warp threads defining weaving sheds,

means for laying weft threads in said weaving sheds,

a rotor mounted for rotation about an axis parallel with said weft threads and lying in a plane adjacent one limit of said weaving sheds,

a loop-forming mandrel associated with said rotor and having one end supported substantially on the axis of rotation of said rotor and being of sufficient length to extend to said weaving zones,

said rotor defining an aperture remote from said axis of rotation thereof for feeding said deformable warp thread to a mandrel such that said deformable thread being shaped by said mandrel to form a row of loops woven into a supporting tape, and said apparatus comprising at least two weaving zones, each being provided with its own of of said rotors andmandrels for the simultaneous formation of at least two tapes having a de formable thread woven into the edge thereof,

the axes of rotation of said rotors being located at opposite sides of said shed, and

said rotors being drivable in opposite directions.

a thread guide for moving each of said auxiliary threads substantially between the opposite sides of said weaving shed.

5. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 4, wherein each of said thread guides comprises a ram having a thread engaging end, and

the latter is movable out of said weaving shed on the side of said weaving shed in which the axis of said associated rotor lies. 

1. An apparatus for manufacturing sliding clasp fasteners having coupling links formed by a deformed thread material woven into the edge of a supporting tape, comprising means for feeding a plurality of warp threads to a weaving zone, said warp threads defining weaving sheds, means for laying weft threads in said weaving sheds, a rotor mounted for rotation about an axis parallel with said weft threads and lying in a plane adjacent one limit of said weaving sheds, a loop-forming mandrel associated with said rotor and having one end supported substantially on the axis of rotation of said rotor and being of sufficient length to extend to said weaving zones, said rotor defining an aperture remote from said axis of rotation thereof for feeding said deformable warp thread to a mandrel such that said deformable thread being shaped by said mandrel to form a row of loops woven into a supporting tape, and said apparatus comprising at least two weaving zones, each being provided with its own of of said rotors and mandrels for the simultaneous formation of at least two tapes having a deformable thread woven into the edge thereof, the axes of rotation of said rotors being located at opposite sides of said shed, and said rotors being drivable in opposite directions.
 2. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, which includes a common rotary drive member for driving said rotors.
 3. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said rotors has an insert coaxial therewith to carry said mandrel, and said insert has a through passage for an auxilliary filling thread.
 4. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 3, which includes a thread guide for moving each of said auxiliary threads substantially between the opposite sides of said weaving shed.
 5. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 4, wherein each of said thread guides comprises a ram having a thread engaging end, and the latter is movable out of said weaving shed on the side of said weaving shed in which the axis of said associated rotor lies. 